Friday, July 30, 2010

Happy Friday! Is your day shaping up the way you would hope? If not, ask yourself what one thing you could do today that would make a positive difference in your life and the lives of others. First of all, begin by adjusting your attitude. What are you telling yourself today about who you are and what you can do? Do you believe that you can't make a difference? That you have no power? That you're not important enough? I read an article recently that said "Until you can recognize the magnificent potential that is locked up inside you, strapped down by all those negative beliefs, you will not be able to release it and live to your full potential." Thank you Johan Campbell! How amazing is that? His article goes on to say, (and I'm paraphrasing); We are so busy trying to please other people, often at the expense of our own desires, that we have no time for our own happiness. This you must know..... there are people who love you, there are people who care about you but until you learn to love yourself, until you learn to care about yourself, until you learn to respect yourself, you will never truly appreciate the love, care and respect of others.

You have the greatest power of any living thing on this planet. You have the power of choice. You have the power to choose how to behave, what to say and when to say it. You have the power to control your attitude. You have the power to make a difference.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

We have all failed many times, although we may not remember. You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you? Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat? Babe Ruth struck out 1,330 times, but he also hit 714 home runs. We can't worry about failure. Our biggest worry should be about the chances we miss when we don't try.

And how true are these words from Dan Ward?........Rather than acknowledge a mistake, nations have gone to war, families have separated, and individuals have sacrificed everything clear to them. Admitting that you are wrong is just another way of saying that you are wiser today than yesterday.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Imagine that all your actions, including the comments that you make, are like drops of water falling into a pond. The ripples they make represent the signals that you send out to the people around you. As the waves hit the bank they turn and come back toward you. Most of the time, by sending out goodness, we can expect goodness to come back to us. I understand that this doesn't happen 100% of the time. We will always encounter those who choose to keep their best behavior to themselves. But I have found that if you live your life this way, the rewards are much greater than you expect.

If our thoughts are dark and our view of life is bleak, only the dark and the bleak will find us. Make a point of focusing your mind on positive thoughts. View your life as full and rich. Learn to trust and love all that you have and all that you are. It is then that the waves of goodness will come splashing back and shower you with the warmth and love that you desire.

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

We literally have infinite potential to achieve our goals.....even those that seem the most far-off. Mark out realistic stepping stones toward your aims, and try each day to work toward reaching another stone. Most importantly, do not feel disappointed if, on one day, you make only half your intended progress, or even no progress at all. The mere act of thinking about your goals will bring you closer to them. Believe in yourself!

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The alarm has just gone off, and the urge to go back to sleep is insistent. There is nothing funny about waking up for work; you're likely thinking about why you didn't get enough sleep, or who stole all the covers, or how someone's snoring kept you up half the night. What could possibly be funny about this awful hour in the morning? What person in their right mind wakes up laughing, asks your tired, grumpy self.

Lying on your back, eyes closed, think back on a ridiculous thing you (or someone you know) did that now makes an outrageously hilarious story.

Remember a time you laughed really hard. Who were you with? What happened to make you laugh?

See if you can coax a chuckle out of your calamities. Learn to laugh at yourself more often. Lighten up, so laughter can spill forth from your everyday routine.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

Being honest with a friend about a problem between the two of you, and having your thoughts embraced, is probably the most cleansing, wonderful feeling that can take place between two people who love each other. It's never an easy thing to do. As a matter of fact, it's pretty hard. But I've realized that there is nothing more necessary than doing so. Do you have a friend with whom you've been forthright with? Have you felt that once you've gotten to the other side of the conversation, it truly is purifying? Not only that, but at this stage you are allowed to begin again! How great is that? You are allowed a new starting point! It would be wise to remember how precious friendships are, and to remember how few opportunities we have to develop depth with another person. If you've had that chance, cherish it. Nurture it. Value it. Look after it. Protect it, and realize that those kind of friendships are rare, will never come easy, and should be honored.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

A United States Brigadier General once said, "I will provide you with the one piece of advice which I believe will contribute more to making you a better leader, will provide you with greater happiness and self-esteem and at the same time advance your career more than any other advice which I can provide you. Any one of you can do it. And that advice is that you must care!"

Thursday, July 1, 2010

In case you didn't know, you couldn't tell, or you haven't heard; if you're reading this right now on a computer, you're rich. If you have somewhere to go today, you're connected. And if there is anyone, anywhere, who for any reason knows where you are in this moment, you are loved.

About Me

Hi! I'm Connie. Thank you for visiting my blog. I am using this space to share words of encouragement, lift spirits, inspire others, and share beautiful photography. It is my hope that I can make a difference in the lives of others, by encouraging them to make the most of theirs.

Try to make at least 3 people smile each day!

I do!

Highlighted in Yellow . . .

from the book A New Earth. . . .

"If you are not spending all of your waking life in discontent, worry, anxiety, depression, despair, or consumed by other negative states; if you are able to enjoy simple things like listening to the sound of the rain or the wind; if you can see the beauty of clouds moving across the sky or be alone at times without feeling lonely or needing the mental stimulus of entertainment; if you find yourself treating a complete stranger with heartfelt kindness without wanting anything from him or her . . . it means that a space has opened up, no matter how briefly, of alive peace, even though it may be subtle. . . . ."

"So when you appreciate something simple - a sound, a sight, a touch - when you see beauty, when you feel loving kindness toward another, sense the inner spaciousness that is the source and background to that experience. . . . ."

"Be still. Look. Listen. Be present."

So many books...so little time

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

Be by Kobi Yamada

Believe by Dan Zadra & Kobi Yamada

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley

Live Good by Kobi Yamada

Making Your Dreams Come True by Marsha Weider

Talking Like The Rain - a children's book of poetry - Illustrated by Jane Dyer

The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz

The Little Things by Kobi Yamada

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

PLEASE NOTE: I TRY TO CREDIT ALL PHOTOS AND LINK TO THEIR APPROPRIATE SOURCES. IF THERE are ANY IMAGES HERE THAT ARE NOT CREDITED CORRECTLY OR YOU SIMPLY WISH THEM TO BE REMOVED, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND I WILL DO SO IMMEDIATELY.